Week 8 - Miracles in Brussels!

This week has been another great week.  Since there is no celebration in Belgium for the 4th of July we had our own.  We "pledged Allegiance" to the flag and ate on American Flag plates.  During our pledging we heard water running and went into the kitchen to check it out.  The whole kitchen was flooded because the sink backed up.  We spent most of the morning mopping, cleaning up the mess and getting a plumber in to fix it.

After emailing last Monday we were off the see the city and do some shopping.  I had my first Belgian Waffle covered in Nutella - Yum!  We went and saw the Grand Place and Manican Piss - suppossedly a huge thing...google it.  There is a huge mall here and everything is on sale for summer soldes!  They only listen to Amerian music so it felt like I was shopping in America with European clothes.  (They have skinny ties here so I had to get a couple to blend in!)  After, we had a lesson with Adalbert.  It took us an hour to get there and on our way we had a man stop us and say, "I want to talk to you".  We told him we would call him later.  Adalbert gave us cokes and the whole shebang and than we started talking.  We had given him a Book of Mormon and challenged him to read the intro.  He had read the intro and all the testimonies and highlighted it.  He had questions that we tried to answer as best we could.  So cool!  We taught about the restoration and how the Church has been restored in these latter days.  I did the first vision for the first time in France and it was so amazing and the spirit was so strong.  Adalbert's nephew came in later and listened too and said he knew that what we were saying was true because we were the proof and he could feel something.  Adalbert walked us to the bus stop, which was different than the one we had used to get there, but we still made it home eventually.  We called the man, Mosa, who stopped us on the way to Adalbert's and he said he knew we were messengers of God and he needed to make time for us because this was a great  opportunity for him. I've heard stories like this but had no idea it would happen to me.  People are truly being prepared!

Tuesday we had dinner with an American Family.  They are the Curtis family and are related to people in my ward back in SLC, Utah.  Small world!  We had pizza hut - delicious!  After dinner our appointment fell through and we only had an hour so we said a little prayer and asked where we should go.  I felt like we should check on one of our "amis", Phillipe, and see how he was doing.  After two rings nobody answered but than somebody in the same apartment, who lives with Phillipe, said, "come on up".  We met Kingsley and Marsella, a married couple from Nigeria and Spain.  Phillipe had told them about us and they wanted to talk to us.  We gave them a Book of Mormon and taught them three times during the week.  They both said they have felt the spirit and know that Joseph Smith is a prophet and know that this is true.  They want to be baptized but need time to get ready.  Last night we challenged them to not smoke for three days and they both accepted.  He speaks English and she only speaks Spanish so we are teaching in 3 languages now.  The crazy thing is we can understand her quite a bit.  I'm telling you the gift of tongues is true.

On Wednesday we had a district meeting and a mini-Zone conference.  On Thursday we celebrated a little for the fourth and then went and met with Mosa again.  He had invited a friend, Emerson, and than the next lesson he invited another friend, Cedarik.  He's already a good missionary.  Mosa even came to church this week and loved it.  He wants to come again next week and bring his daughter.  They all accepted a baptismal date, meaning if they receive an answer they will be baptized.  Mosa speaks English and Emerson and Cedarik speak French.  So Mosa said, "Elder Player you teach me.  Elder Davis you teach them."  So,we teach in opposite corners.  Amazing!

I love it here and it still shocks me when I think, "Wow!  I'm on a mission - in Belgium."  All those stories of people being prepared or miracles happening are really true.  I know it will all my heart.  Christ and God live and  my testimony is growing stronger every day.  The people here have extreme faith in the Lord.  Have a great week and remember I love hearing from you and love you all so much.  Here are a few quotes I found this week.

"Though the expanse of continents or oceans may separate us, hearts are as one."  President Thomas S. Monson

"It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it."  President John Taylor

PS...Yesterday at testimony meeting a young boy said, "I know God said no smoking because it kills you, Amen.

My first Belgium Waffle - Yum!

The Grand Place - Beautiful!

Shopping - Summer Soldes

Our Apartment

Our Batahroom

Pizza Pate

Elder Davis and me

Pledging Allegiance to the Flag on the 4th of July

Manican Piss

Oui Je Suis Dans Belgium! Semaine 7 (Yes, I am in Belgium! Week 7)

The Mission President, His Wife and me!

Eating Chinese Food in Paris! Crazy!

Finding out my new companion, Elder Davis

Hey everyone!  I made it to Paris and now Belgium!

Monday and Tuesday were days full of traveling.  Plane food was not so great but the 10 hour flight wasn't bad at all.  People thought I was funny using the face mask and earplugs but it helped me get a couple of hours of sleep!

After we arrived we picked up our luggage, exchanged our currency and then met our Mission President on the curb.  With fresh "Pain au chocolate" we found out we would be going to the metro, which is 100 times crazier than any subway in New York, and started contacting.  Elder Rigsby and I contacted a man on the subway and had a 40 minute conversation with him as we made our way into the city.  He took our card but was shocked there were missionaries in France and asked us if we knew the history of France?

We then made our way to the church in central Paris known as Saint Mary. (picture of us in front of the church in blog last week)  It is the 2nd most expensive property the church owns in the world!  It has secret passages, chains in the basement and is used as a chapel and visitor center.   We all so tired and tried hard not to fall asleep as they told us about the church.

Next we had interviews, chinese food and then the Soeurs went to the mission home and the Elders went to a hotel to sleep.  I was asleep in minutes!

Wednesday we work up and had some fresh baguettes and pastries at the hotel and then made our way to Consecration Hill, or Saint Germaine, where you commit yourself to the "work" and set your goals,  It looks over the city of Paris and was absolutely gorgeous.  We made our way back to Saint Mary to find out where we were going and who our new companion would be.  We had a little extra time so we stopped at Notre Dame - oh the perks of being in Paris!

My new companion and trainer is Elder Davis from Seattle, Washington.  He's been out since December and will be great.  We get along and he'll be a great companion to get started.  We found our area is Strombeek or Brussels, Belgium!  We are opening a new companionship here so we have not investigators, no lessons and an empty area book.  On top of that I'm a bleu (or greenie).  We are living in a brand new apartment with 2 other Elders - 1 is the District Leader.  They were putting together furniture as we arrived.  It's a great apartment, known as the mansion, and right by a park..  That night we scavenged for food and had 30 minutes to get to the know the area before we were due back.  We ran into a man, Zack, and he was interested and so we taught him a lesson right there on the street.  We got a "follow up" so that was cool!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday consisted of lots of contacting since we didn't have any appointments.  There are lots of African-Americans here and I love them!  They are so believing and as soon as you mention Jesus they love you too!  We found 11 people on Thursday - all African-Americans.  The French just put up there hand and say, "I don't believe", or "I don't have time" or walk by without saying anything.

On Friday we had another "8:55" miracle with a man named Phillipe.  After lots of rain, bible bashing, and Muslims that we can't really talk to it was amazing how the Lord put Phillipe in our path.  I know as we work hard and are obedient we will be lead to those people that want to hear the gospel.

Saturday we taught two lessons in peoples homes.  It's amazing how small their places are and how humble they are.  Finally, after hours of contacting I decided I needed a coke and a "Pain au Chocolate".  It was the most delicious coke I have ever had!

Sunday are different here.  Belgium is known as "the melting pot of the world" for languages.  Most people speak English, which makes learning French hard, but is cool to be able to participate more.  I'd say its about 50% French and 50% English.  Our ward is full of people who work for the European Union and NATO.  For 3 hours I introduced myself first in English and then in French.  The church is a real church building, which is rare, and is really nice.  There were probably 80 to 100 people at church.  We also taught Phillipe again too!

Today is PDay.  We had studies, cleaning and went shopping for groceries.  We are going to go eat at the Grand Complace after shopping.  It's "Soldes" here right now so everything is a killer deal - 10 ties for 15 euros, sweet!  We had 2 missed calles fom Amis today.  Adalbert, who asked for a Book of Mormon and then called and said, "Me and my family will be home tonight and want you to come teach us the word of God."

It's been a busy few days but I can already see miracles and feel the spirit.  Can't wait for the weeks ahead!  I hope you all have a great 4th of July - we'll be celebrating here too!  Love hearing from all of you.  Here is my address in Belgium:

Les Missionaires
Elder Chase Player
11, Ave des Gloires Nationales
1081 Koekelberg
Belgium

Supposedly it takes about 7 days for something to get here.  Thanks for all of your love and support!  Till next week...

Love,
Elder Player

Notre Dame

Come Fly With Me

Monday, June 24th, 2013

This is going to be short since I need to be in the travel office in 5 minutes but I just want to say that its been another great and crazy week here at the MTC.

The week was filled with lots of prep for leaving, including dry cleaning, departure devotionals, language assessments and saying goodbye to our teachers.

There has been a stomach bug going around the MTC this week and thankfully I have not gotten it.  If you are sick 24 hours before you are to fly they postpone your departure.

Thursday we had an infield orientation which focused on how we can be better missionaries.  It focused on how important members are to missionary work.  Again on Friday and Saturday we learned about members and then on Sunday with the broadcast, "Hastening the Work" it was stressed again.  I never thought of that before I got here but now I can see how much help members can be and how they can improve missionaries efficiency.

On Friday we had a special service assignment to set up for the New Mission President Seminar.  There are 173 new mission presidents here for the week so they have taken over the cafeteria.  They got all nice round tables with table clothes and fresh flowers.  We got sent to the gym where we eat our meals and even had our departure devotional there.

On Sunday the broadcast was awesome.  The choir of 1400 sounded pretty good and to see all the work that went into making the broadcast happen was amazing. It was great to see how real all the Quorum of the Twelve are!

I started packing on Saturday and finished just a few minutes ago.  I never knew it would be so hard to get everything into two suitcases that weighed 50 lbs. or less.

I'm excited to get to France and start real missionary work.  Much love to all of you and thanks for letters, packages and support.  It means sooooo much!!!

In the center of Paris in front of the St. Merri Chapel

Paris Airport - Just Arrived

High Five...It's week 5!

Another week has come and gone.  They go so fast!  Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there.  Most of all Happy Father's Day to my dad.  I love you and look up to you!

This week had a lot of first for the MTC with more firsts to come.  Tuesday was the first devotional ever to be held at the Marriott Center.  We all made the journey to the outside world and it was quite exhilaration...took almost 15 minutes.

The choir is now over 1200 missionaries sings at devotionals and will be singing two songs on Sunday the 23rd at a devotional called "Hastening the Work of Salvation".  It will be an awesome way to say goodbye to the MTC.  In our short 6 week stay here we have heard from many apostles and on the 23rd, several of the twelve apostles and the prophet.

On Wednesday we got to host as a district and we will get to do it again this coming Wednesday.  There were over 800 new missionaries entering the MTC and the summer wave hasn't even begun!

Also, on Wednesday Elder Rigsby and I had an awesome lesson with Raphael.  It couldn't have gone better.  He even had us teach and share it with the class and he accepted a baptismal date!!!!

On Thursday we taught a member who actually lives in France and is here for work for a year.  They speak so fast but I could understand a fair amount.

On Friday we taught Delphine and it went well.  She wants to come to a baptism to see what it is like.  So what do you know...we had a baptism on Saturday for Eliza.  Hopefully in our lesson tomorrow we can commit her to baptism.

Each week the devotionals are amazing and the spirit is always so strong.  This is what we learned on Tuesday from Mervyn B. Arnold of the Seventy:
"Serve with no regrets and know that one day you will have to give an accounting of your stewardship from your mission."  He gave 5 points for a successful mission.
1.  Understand who you are - Remember you have a divine nature and destiny and that He has an abundant love for all of us.
2.  Each one of us has been given specific gifts and talents.  See the best in everything and everyone and recognize how we are all blessed.
3.  Understand the sacredness of your call and what you covenanted to do when you accepted it.  Devote all your time and talents to service.
4.  Understand and observe the Law of Obedience
5.  Understand your purpose - invite and help others to come unto Christ!
It was an awesome devotional and than on Sunday Steven B. Allan spoke to us again.  He had us watch a series of clips from commercials by the Church called, "The Homefront Series".  Here are a few quotes I really liked:
"It's often life's smallast moments that bring the greatest memories - don't let them pass you by!"
"It's not who you aren't but who your are"
"The people in your heart can't hear it, so let them know it every day." and
"Whatever you do in life, just do your best, and finish every race you start."

This week we have our in-field training, special service on Friday, departing missionary devotional and the Worldwide Broadcast!  A week from now i"ll be at the airport heading to France.  Always remember how much the Lord loves you and with him nothing is impossible!
                                                       

Elder Lambert and me!

My District with the French Flag

Jumping with the French Flag!
I look like I'm in a potato sack race!

Pictures from Week 3 and Week 4

A great missionary quote!

Fast Sunday!

The Provo temple with the roses in bloom...beautiful!

 Pondering my mission!

I

My Shoes all shined and ready to go for another week!

A Sunday Portrait by the Provo Temple

Week 4 - The Fun Continues

This week marks week four and by the end of the week I will have been gone a month!  Crazy...doesn't seem like it's been that long.  This week was a lot like the last few but I'll try to share a few things that were different.

Tuesday we taught Delphine again.  The lesson went great!  We were hoping to talk about the restoration more but she said she believes all of that and had read through 2nd Nephi already.  So we changed our plans a little and talked about faith and repentance.  We were really happy how it turned out.  That morning during personal study I decided to read over some talks and came upon a talk by Elder Tad Callister of the Seventy.  I loved it!  And than that night guess who our speaker was?  Elder Tad Callister and his wife!  He talked about many churches have truth but aren't fully following the blue print of Christ as he laid out in the New Testament.  There is only one church on the earth today who follows all those guidelines perfectly.  It is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  He only used the bible to show how perfectly the church is organized.  It's just as Christ's church was.

Wednesday we taught Raphael again and it went good.  The new missionaries arrived, including Landon, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him until Saturday.  He said he's doing great!  Next Wednesday we get to host!  That means we get to take the "newbies" away from their families and show them around.  Should be lots of fun!

Thursday we had Teaching Resource Center where we teach members.  That's always fun!  A week from Thursday we have field orientation.  This we where we teach non members...scary....on and yes in FRENCH!  Our district will be singing.  The sisters got the music and we started rehearsing the EFY Medley, As Sisters in Zion and We'll Bring the World His Truth.  Later we taught Delphine who said that if we'd asked she would have accepted baptism.  That will be tomorrow's lesson for sure!

Saturday actually feels like a Saturday.  We get to sleep in for an extra 30 minutes.  That means we get up at 6:30 a.m.  We grab a donut, do service and than lunch.  That evening Sister Worsham decided to do a lesson that invovled role playing.  She randomly called people up to play the parts of investigators or teachers.  The spirit was so strong.  It was awesome!

On Sunday we had 10 missionaries leaving and 10 missionaries coming.  We got new zone leaders and our Branch Presidency is really cool.  Our devotional was Brother Heaton and it was good.  We watched the movie, "Jospeh Smith" in French.  Wow!  The French talk fast.  We were looking at each other like, "what is happening".  We were able to pick up some words and phrases.  All in all the French is coming.  It's hard to learn when you can so easily go back to English.

This morning we went to the Provo Temple and did sealings.  It was as awesome experience.  We got to sealed as children to parents and be witnesses.  I'm so grateful for eternal families.  Thanks for all your love and support.  Two weeks from today I leave for Paris.  I couldn't be happier to be than right where I am.

PS  On June 23rd at 4pm on the mormonchannel.org the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 will have a worldwide broadcast.  Watch for me in the choir of over 1400 missionaries.

June 3, 2013

Hello from the MTC...I hope everyone had a great memorial day!  I have almost been here for 3 weeks.  A lot of what goes on is the same but I'll try to tell you some exciting things that happened.

We have 2 new investigators, which are our two teachers, Raphael and Delphine.  Delphine is a gypsy and Raphael is a devote catholic.  Needless to say we have some hurdles to get over.

On Tuesday night Elder and Sister Zwick from the seventy came to our devotional.  They talked about the fundamentals used to build a temple.  Elder Zwick is the lead contractor for the Portland, Oregon temple so he knew what he was talking about.  The 6 steps are as follows:

1. Start with the end in mind...a blueprint.
2. Have a strong desire and commitment.
3. Be willing and have the discipline to work hard...don't be discouraged because Heavenly Father is always        patient with out efforts.
4. Prepare for challenges - they will come.
5. Structural integrity and physical integrity are important.
6. Total dedication to the Lord in all you do.

It was an awesome talk and I got to be in the choir so I sat up close.

Wednesday we had Elder Vinson from the Seventy observe our class.  The night before he came we did some cleaning, set up pictures and made everything spiffy.  It was pretty funny, but we passed.  We got over 700 new sisters and elders this week.

Thursday we taught two lessons to French speaking members.  It was amazing to see how we could actually speak French and their feedback was encouraging.  You could really feel the spirit.

Friday was another good day and on Saturday we had a substitute, Sister Judd, who served in Paris and just got home 5 months ago.  She told us that having a native mission president has really helped the work to explode.  She told us to cast aside all stereotypes of the French and you will have success and the best mission you could possibly imagine.

Sunday was fast Sunday.  We had a 25 hour fast.  That was a first for me.  I was called to be a District Leader in the meeting.  A shock but exciting.  The rest of the day was District council, District meeting and a bi-weekly leadership training.  Ted Gibbons was our speaker at our devotional last night. He told the story of Joseph Smith through Willard Richards testimony and journal.  It was amazing to hear about the inspiration Joseph received.  At the end we sang "Praise to the Man".  The spirit was so strong!  Be sure to read D&C 135:3 and reflect on how your life has been affected because of Joseph Smith.  This one man changed millions or lives and gave his own life so we could have the gospel and the ability to have eternal life.  Pretty amazing what one person can do!

I am so thankful to be here, learning more about the gospel and strengthening my testimony.  I can hardly wait to share this joy with the people of France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Thanks for all your letters and support.  You're the BEST!